I recently read an article that caught my eye.  In it, the author discussed how young adolescent girls tend to interact on facebook.  They often post pictures and then comment on how pretty or “hot” each other look.  This preoccupation with image and looks is cultural and disturbing.

According to the American Pyschological Association, girls are more likely to imitate images and behavior they see in media sources like magazines, movies, etc.  In addition, this fixation on image and beauty is cause for health concerns.  Eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem are the most common mental health issues for girls.  Up to 40 percent of girls are dieting by age 10.  And almost two-thirds of girls in the 5^th through 12^th grades are dissatisfied with their body shape. (NYU Child Study Center)

What’s a parent to do? 

While I don’t advocate keeping your child totally media-free, especially in the teen years, there are ways to ameliorate the influence of common messages.  Check out some of these sites and share them with your daughter.  Show her there are other ways to portray women, and assure her you love her as is. 

She Heroes Tells the stories of extraordinary women who are role models in diverse careers.

7 Wonderlicious  This social network was created so that parents and educators of little girls can share experiences on raising empowered girls.

The Black Girl Project  The Black Girl Project uses issues like identity, obstacles, goals, love, and sex to help build critical thinking, inspire dialogue and empower young women and girls.

Brain Cake Working with girls age 11-17 and their parents, teachers, and mentors, we draw organizations, stakeholders, and communities together in an effort to ensure that girls succeed in math and science.

There are many more resources out there—be sure you are giving time to them, to balance out the many other messages girls get online.